Exploring the Athenian Coin: Ancient Athena in Modern Museums

Revamped Artwork Description

The invention of coins as a form of monetary exchange was pioneered in western Asia Minor around the early 7th century BCE. These count, made from gold, silver, bronze, or electrum a bl of gold and silver, were valued based on their precious metal content and weight. Sometimes, cities would create coins that weighed the same but had different values by substituting base metals for part of the precious metals. Initially restricted to local use within city walls, trustworthy currency facilitated trade. Athens held the largest economy, leading its coinage to become the standard across the Greek world.

The Athenian coin featured an emblematic representation of their guardian deity, Athena, the goddess associated with wisdom and warfare. The adoption of this design, first utilized around 520 BCE, was a nod to civic stability and trustworthiness in their currency. With silver sourced from local mines, Athens consistently replenished its treasury for projects like military expansion or reconstruction post-the Persian invasion in 480 BCE.

The iconography depicted on ancient city coins often encapsulated mythological narratives that resonated with the community's history, religion, and culture. These included tales of a city’s founding, regional heroes, and even the economic foundations upon which each city stood.

The profile of Athena was particularly emblematic; it was a widely recognized symbol on Athenian coins for centuries. Despite other cities evolving their coin designs to reflect modernity, Athens mntned its profile of Athenaa design first used around 520 BCEto highlight the reliability and stability of its currency.

Provenance

This cointitled 'Tetradrachm Depicting Athena'was part of the vast collection amassed by Martin A. Ryerson 1856-1932 and his wife Carrie Hutchinson Ryerson 1859-1937, residents of Chicago. The couple generously bequeathed this artifact, along with their extensive art collection, to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1938.

Explore Further

This work is an exemplar within its class, connecting viewers to historical narratives and artistic practices from antiquity.

Most Similar Works:

• Classical Coin: Ancient Greek - 1000 BCE–1 CE

• Stater Coin Depicting the Goddess Athena: Ancient Greek - 345-317 BCE

• Stater Coin Depicting the Goddess Kore: Ancient Greek - 330-300 BCE

• Stater Coin Depicting Pegasus: Ancient Greek - 350-338 BCE

• Stater Coin Depicting a Land Tortoise: Ancient Greek - 404-350 BCE

• Hecta Coin Depicting the Goddess Demeter: Ancient Greek - 400-350 BCE

• Drachm Coin Depicting the Gorgon Medusa: Ancient Greek - 411-356 BCE

• Stater Coin Depicting a Horseman: Ancient Greek - 380-345 BCE

Follow Our Updates

Stay informed about our latest exhibitions, events, and programs by signing up for our enewsletter.

Contact Information

Visit us at:

111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603

For inquiries or venue rental, please contact our dedicated team:

• Eml: Inquiry Form#

• Phone: XXX XXX-XXXX

Follow on Social Media

Join Our CommunitySocial Icons

Facebook: TheArtInstituteOfChicago

Twitter: @ArtInstitute

Instagram: @CChicago

YouTube: TheArtInstitute

Visit SC

School of the Art Institute of Chicago SC, part of our institution, offers a wide array of educational programs for creative individuals.

Subscribe# to receive updates on art news and events.

Careers at C

Explore job opportunities within our dynamic organization by visiting our Careers section.

Contact Us# for any inquiries or partnerships.

that while the above information includes some placeholder content e.g., XXX XXX-XXXX, Inquiry Form, Social Icons inted to guide you towards actual interactive elements, these should be replaced with direct links or contact detls as per your platform's guidelines.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/199526/tetradrachm-coin-depicting-the-goddess-athena

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.ap80.com/Collection_price/Ancient_Athenian_Coin_Overview.html